EP1069657B1 - Rotary connector - Google Patents

Rotary connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1069657B1
EP1069657B1 EP00114896A EP00114896A EP1069657B1 EP 1069657 B1 EP1069657 B1 EP 1069657B1 EP 00114896 A EP00114896 A EP 00114896A EP 00114896 A EP00114896 A EP 00114896A EP 1069657 B1 EP1069657 B1 EP 1069657B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flat cable
strap
guide
housing
rotary connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00114896A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1069657A1 (en
Inventor
Tsuyoshi c/o Niles Parts Co. Ltd. Matsumoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Niles Parts Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Niles Parts Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Niles Parts Co Ltd filed Critical Niles Parts Co Ltd
Publication of EP1069657A1 publication Critical patent/EP1069657A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1069657B1 publication Critical patent/EP1069657B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a rotary connector through which electric power is supplied to an air bag or the like provided, for example, at a pad of a steering wheel of an automobile.
  • This type of air bag particularly the one provided at the pad of the steering wheel, requires electric power to be supplied from the vehicle side through a rotatable portion of the steering wheel to the inflater of the air bag system mounted on the pad side.
  • One commonly used means for supplying electric power is a rotary connector that incorporates a flat cable usually wound in a spiral fashion.
  • a rotary connector that calls a US-A-4 928 901 cable reel.
  • This rotary connector includes a stator housing, a rotor housing rotatably assembled to the stator housing, and a flat cable accommodated in a spiral fashion in a space defined by the stator housing and the rotor housing.
  • the rotary connector further includes a cutter and a cutting element provided at an end of the flat cable, the cutter and cutting element being used to cut the flat cable.
  • a rotary connector is assembled at a neutral position thereof from which the steering wheel can be rotated by two rotations leftward and rightward, respectively. If the rotary connector is assembled off the neutral position by mistake, the steering wheel cannot be rotated by two rotations leftward and rightward, respectively. This prevents the driver from steering the vehicle with maximum operability.
  • the aforementioned cutter and cutting member are used to cut off the flat cable, ensuring that the steering wheel can be rotated by two rotations leftward and rightward, respectively, from the neutral position.
  • the aforementioned conventional rotary connector suffers from the problem that even if the rotary connector is assembled correctly to the steering wheel, the cutter and cutting member used for cutting the cable still remain in contact with the flat cable and therefore may damage the flat cable.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector in which the flat cable is not damaged when the rotary connector is assembled correctly and the flat cable can be cut off easily if the user operates the steering wheel to which the rotary connector is assembled incorrectly.
  • the present invention was made in order to achieve the aforementioned objects.
  • the present invention of the aforementioned construction offers the following advantages.
  • the invention defined in Claim 1 is directed to a rotary connector having a flat cable with one end connected to a terminal strap and the other end connected to a supporting member, the flat cable being in the shape of a spiral and being accommodated in a space defined by a stator housing and a rotor housing rotatably assembled to the stator housing.
  • the terminal strap is located between an inner wall of the stator housing and a guide disposed near the inner wall;
  • the flat cable is pulled taut at both ends thereof, so that a stress is concentrated on the contact portion at which the flat cable is in contact with the small-width strap. As a result, the flat cable is cut off at the contact portion.
  • the small-width strap will cut off the flat cable at the connection of the flat cable so that the user is allowed to operate the steering wheel in the same manner when the rotary connector has been assembled correctly.
  • the invention of Claim 2 further defines the rotary connector according to Claim 1, wherein the stator housing has a projection formed on the inner wall near the small-width strap.
  • This construction allows the flat cable, which has been cut off, to strike the projection, thereby preventing the short-circuit of the cut end of flat cable to the terminal of the terminal strap which would otherwise inadvertently fire the air bag.
  • the invention of Claim 3 further defines the rotary connector according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the stator housing has a projection formed on the inner wall between the terminal strap and the small-width strap. Therefore, the construction prevents the cut end of the connection of the flat cable from entering the gap between the small-width strap and the inner wall to reach the terminal strap. Thus, the construction prevents the short-circuit of the conductive wires of the cut-off flat cable to the terminals of the terminal strap which would otherwise inadvertently fire the air bag.
  • the invention of Claim 4 further defines the rotary connector according to Claim 1, Claim 2, or claim 3, wherein the guide has a recess near a location facing the projection.
  • the projection cooperates with the recess to change the direction of the flat cable, thereby preventing the cut end of the flat cable from entering the gap beyond the guide to come into contact with the terminal.
  • the construction prevents the short-circuit of the conductive wires of the cut-off flat cable to the terminals of the terminal strap which would otherwise inadvertently fire the air bag.
  • the invention of Claim 5 further defines the rotary connector according to Claim 2 or Claim 4, wherein the projection has an inclined surface on a side remote from the terminal strap.
  • the construction allows the cut end of the flat cable to move to the center of the rotary connector while rotating, after the flat cable has been cut off.
  • the construction prevents the cut end of the flat cable from entering the gap between the guide and the inner wall of the side housing.
  • reference numerals 1,2,3, and 4 denote a stator housing, rotor housing, attachment, and flat cable.
  • Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote connectors.
  • a rotary connector includes the stator housing 1, rotor housing 2 rotatably assembled to the stator housing 1, and the flat cable 4 in the shape of a spiral.
  • the flat cable 4 is housed in a space G defined by the stator housing 1 and the rotor housing 2.
  • the stator housing 1 is a stationary component that is screwed down on the combination switch (not shown) of, for example, an automobile.
  • the stator housing 1 includes a side housing 7 and a bottom housing 8 combined with the side housing 7.
  • the side housing 7 has a fitting hole 7a and the bottom housing has a fitting projection 8a.
  • the fitting projection 8a is fitted into the fitting hole 7a, thereby assembling the bottom housing 8 to the side housing 7.
  • the side housing 7 and bottom housing 8 may be formed in one piece, thereby providing a single piece stator housing 1.
  • the side housing 7 and the bottom housing 8 have base portions 7b and 8b, respectively, that are flush with each other when they are assembled together.
  • both the base portions 7b and 8b abut the combination switch. Therefore, if an external force is exerted on the bottom housing 8 in a direction shown by arrow A of Fig. 2, the base portion 8b abuts the combination switch, so that the bottom housing 8 is prevented from being deformed in the direction shown by the arrow A as well as the fitting projection 8a of the bottom housing 8 is prevented from dropping out of the fitting hole 7a of the side housing 7.
  • the bottom housing 8 has a guide 9 that holds an end of the flat cable 4 and guides the flat cable 4 in a space G defined by the stator housing 1 and the rotor housing 2. There is provided a slide sheet 15 on top of the bottom housing 8.
  • the rotor housing 2 is rotatably fitted into the stator housing 1 and is coupled to the steering wheel (not shown) by means of a coupling pin 10 having a resilient cover 10a fitted thereover.
  • the rotor housing 2 has projections 2b and a stepped portion 2c on its inner circumferential surface 2a.
  • the projections 2b fit into fitting portions 3a formed on an attachment 3.
  • the stepped portions 2c abut projecting straps 3b formed on the attachment 3.
  • the rotor housing 2 has a cord cover 12 that covers cords 6a of connectors 6 led out of the rotor housing 2 and secures a later-described supporting member 11 to the rotor housing 2.
  • the cord cover 12 is inserted into the top surface of the rotor housing 2 and is fixed by heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding.
  • the rotor housing 2 has a caution label 13 stuck on the top surface of the rotor housing 2 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the caution label 13 lists cautions about the handling of the rotary connector.
  • the supporting member 11 is a component that supports one end of the flat cable 4 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the supporting member 11 is also a member that prevents the flat cable 4 from buckling, thereby protecting the flat cable 4 from breakage and damage.
  • the attachment 3 is a member that couples the stator housing 1 to the rotor housing 2.
  • the attachment 3 has the fitting portions 3a and projecting straps 3b.
  • the fitting portions 3a resiliently engage the projections 2b of the rotor housing 2, and the projecting straps 3b abut the stepped portions 2c of the rotor housing 2.
  • the attachment 3 slides on the inner surface of the bottom housing 8, serving as a radial (direction of radius) bearing.
  • the flat cable 4 includes a plurality of conductive wires 4a and sheets of resin film 4b between which the plurality of conductive wires 4a are sandwiched.
  • the plurality of conductive belt-shaped wires 4a are arranged at predetermined intervals and are sandwiched between two sheets of insulating resin film 4b.
  • the flat cable 4 has one end fixed to a terminal strap 14 that is electrically connected to a connector 5 and the other end fixed to the supporting member 11 mounted to the rotor housing 2.
  • the conductive wires 4a have front and back surfaces bonded to two sheets of resin film 4b.
  • the conductive wires 4a are flat belt-shaped and have one ends thereof connected to the air bag apparatus accommodated in the steering wheel and the other ends thereof electrically connected to a power supply and sensors of the air bag apparatus.
  • the conductive wires 4a include a total of three wires; two wires for the air bag and one wire for a horn. The number of conductive wires is not limited to three and may be selected in accordance with the design purpose.
  • the resin film 4b is of the construction in which two laminated films of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate are contact bonded by heat or bonded by an adhesive such that the plurality of conductive wires 4a are insulated from each other.
  • the flat cable 4 is housed in a doughnut-shaped space G defined by the stator housing 1 and the rotor housing 2.
  • the flat cable 4 is rotatable leftward and rightward, at least two complete rotations in each direction.
  • One end of the flat cable 4 is electrically connected to the connector 5 of the stator housing 1 via the terminal strap 14, and the other end of the flat cable 4 is connected to the connectors 6 of the rotor housing 2 via the supporting member 11.
  • the supporting member 1 1 connected to the flat cable 4 is fastened to the outer wall of a hollow shaft 2d of the rotor housing 2.
  • the terminal strap 14 located at the other end of the flat cable 4 is disposed between an inner wall 7c of the side housing 7 and the guide 9 near the upper outer periphery of the bottom housing 8.
  • the terminal strap 14 is an resin material in which conductors (not shown) are insert molded.
  • the conductors have lateral ends connected to the respective conductive wires 4a and downward ends connected to the respective ends of the terminals (not shown) of the connector 5.
  • the terminal strap 14 is mounted to the bottom surface of the bottom housing 8. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the terminal strap 14 engages a bottom surface 9a of a recess formed in the guide 9 and is received between projections 7d and 7e formed on the inner wall 7c of the side housing 7.
  • the projections 7d, 7e, and 7f are vertically extending on the inner wall 7c of the side housing 7. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the projection 7d cooperates with the bottom surface 9a of the guide 9 to support the terminal strap 14 therebetween.
  • a projection 7e opposes a guide strap 9b of the guide 9 and is aligned with an edge of a recess 9c formed in a surface of the guide strap 9b facing the inner wall 7c.
  • the projection 7e cooperates with the guide strap 9b to support the end of the flat cable 4, and cooperates with the recess 9c to prevent the cut end of the flat cable 4 from again entering a gap between the guide 9 and the inner wall 7c after the flat cable 4 has been cut off at the connection C connected to the terminal strap 14. In this manner, the construction prevents the cut end of the flat cable 4 from short-circuiting.
  • the projection 7e has a side surface 7g closer to the small-width strap 9d.
  • the side surface 7g is inclined to make an acute angle with the flat cable 4.
  • a flat cable 4c that has been cut off enters a space between the inner wall 7c and the guide strap 9b
  • the cut end of the flat cable 4c strikes the side surface 7g and slips to a base portion 7h of the projection 7e where the tip of the flat cable 4c is finally stopped. In this manner, the flat cable 4c is prevented from entering the gap between the guide 9 and the inner wall 7c.
  • the projection 7f prevents a flat cable 4e from again entering the gap between the guide 9 and inner wall 7c after the flat cable 4 has been cut off, ensuring that the flat cable 4e will not be short-circuited to inadvertently fire the air bag.
  • the projection 7f should be provided at a location near the small-width strap 9d, including a location 7i shown by a phantom line adjacent to the small-width strap 9d and a location 7j further away from the small-width strap 9d as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the projections 7f, 7i, and 7j may have inclined side surfaces such as a surface 7k formed on the projection 7j shown by phantom lines in Fig. 5.
  • the surface 7k guides the flat cable 4e, which moves toward the guide 9 in a direction shown by arrow I, toward the center of the rotary connector.
  • the side surface 7k is formed on a side of the projections 7f, 7i, and 7j remote from the guide 9.
  • the side surface 7k may be a flat surface or a curved surface.
  • the guide 9 is a projected strap provided at a location over the connector 5 of the bottom housing 8.
  • the guide 9 includes guide strap 9b, recess 9c, small-width strap 9d, and the recess having the bottom surface 9a.
  • the guide 9 extends along the inner wall 7c of the side housing 7, generally describing an arc.
  • the bottom surface 9a of the recess is a bottom surface of a groove with which the projection 7d and the terminal strap 14 are engaged.
  • the guide strap 9b guides the flat cable 4 in such a way that the flat cable 4 connected to the terminal strap 14 expands or contracts within the side housing 7 while maintaining its spiral shape.
  • the recess 9c serves to prevent the reentering of the flat cable 4 between the inner wall 7c and the guide 9 which would otherwise cause a short-circuit.
  • the recess 9c is a substantially U-shaped groove having a side wall 9e. The side wall 9e is closer to the terminal strap 14 and is aligned with the tip of the side surface 7g of the projection 7e.
  • the side wall 9e is inclined such that the side wall 9e makes an acute angle with the flat cable 4.
  • the small-width strap 9d is a projecting strap formed at the lower end of the guide strap 9b and is in contact with the flat cable 4.
  • the small-width strap 9d has a shorter vertical width than the guide strap 9b.
  • the small-width strap 9d exerts a concentrated stress on the flat cable 4 that is in contact with the small-width strap 9d, thereby cutting off the flat cable 4 at the connection C connected to the terminal strap 14.
  • the small-width strap 9d has a rounded tip portion such that the friction resistance between the flat cable 4 and the small-width strap 9d is small when the rotary connector is assembled correctly.
  • the small-width strap 9d may be at a vertically upper end or middle of the guide strap 9b, provided that the small-width strap 9d is at the tip of the guide strap 9b.
  • the small-width strap 9d should be located where the small-width strap 9d presses the conductive wires 4a hard, so that the flat cable 4 can be cut off efficiently at the connection C connected to the terminal strap 14.
  • the rotary connector having the flat cable 4 operates as follows:
  • the rotary connector has the connectors 6 connected to, for example, an air bag apparatus (not shown) on the steering wheel side and the other connector 5 to, for example, air bag controller (not shown) on the vehicle side.
  • the electrical signal generated by the air bag controller is sent to the air bag apparatus provided at the steering pad via the flat cable 4 of the rotary connector, thereby firing the inflater to inflate the air bag.
  • the steering wheel rotates together with the rotor housing 2 and attachment 3, so that the flat cable 4 slides.
  • the rotary connector is correctly mounted to the steering wheel, the steering wheel and flat cable 4 rotate leftward and rightward from the position at which the vehicle runs straightly, rotating through two complete rotations in each direction. No load is exerted on the contact portion D between the flat cable 4 and the small-width strap 9d of the guide 9. Additionally, the flat cable 4 is not damaged because the small-width strap 9d has a curved surface.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the rotary connector when the user operates the steering wheel rightward in the direction shown by arrow E more than one rotation, if the rotary connector has been inadvertently assembled with the steering wheel rotated rightward by one complete rotation from the neutral position.
  • Rotating the steering wheel causes the flat cable 4 to be taut.
  • the flat cable 4 near the guide 9 is pulled in the direction shown by arrow B as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so that a stress is concentrated on the contact portion D at which the flat cable 4 is in contact with the small-width strap 9d.
  • the small-width strap 9d has a shorter vertical dimension than the guide 9, so that the stress exerted on the flat cable 4 at the contact portion D is large.
  • the flat cable 4 is cut off at the weakest portion, i.e., the connection portion C connected to the terminal strap 14. Since the flat cable 4 is cut off, the steering wheel can be operated in the same manner that the rotary connector is assembled correctly.
  • connection portion C is pulled in the direction shown by arrow B, passing between the guide 9 and the inner wall 7c to the space G in the side housing 7.
  • connection portion C of the flat cable 4 When the user rotates the steering wheel in a direction shown by arrow F shown in Fig. 4, the cut end of the connection portion C of the flat cable 4 also moves in the direction shown by arrow F. The cut end of the connection portion C of the flat cable 4 strikes the projection 7f, which prevents the flat cable 4 from entering the gap between the guide 9 and the inner wall 7c.
  • the projection 7e cooperates with the recess 9c to prevent the cut end of the connection portion C from entering further through the gap to a position where the cut end of the connection portion C may reach the terminal strap 14.
  • the construction prevents the short-circuit of the conductive wires 4a of the flat cable 4 to the terminals of the terminal strap 14, which would otherwise cause the air bag system to go off spontaneously.

Landscapes

  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Electric Cable Arrangement Between Relatively Moving Parts (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
EP00114896A 1999-07-15 2000-07-12 Rotary connector Expired - Lifetime EP1069657B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP20114499 1999-07-15
JP20114499A JP3693859B2 (ja) 1999-07-15 1999-07-15 回転コネクタ装置

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1069657A1 EP1069657A1 (en) 2001-01-17
EP1069657B1 true EP1069657B1 (en) 2004-11-03

Family

ID=16436137

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00114896A Expired - Lifetime EP1069657B1 (en) 1999-07-15 2000-07-12 Rotary connector

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6343946B1 (ko)
EP (1) EP1069657B1 (ko)
JP (1) JP3693859B2 (ko)
KR (1) KR100646542B1 (ko)
DE (1) DE60015444T2 (ko)
TW (1) TW508607B (ko)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003324835A (ja) * 2002-04-26 2003-11-14 Toyoda Mach Works Ltd スパイラルケーブル装置
JP2004031188A (ja) * 2002-06-27 2004-01-29 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd ケーブルリール
US6854977B2 (en) * 2002-09-13 2005-02-15 Trw Inc. Steering wheel rotary connector
US7104821B2 (en) * 2004-09-16 2006-09-12 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
JP4152414B2 (ja) 2006-02-09 2008-09-17 矢崎総業株式会社 回転コネクタ装置
DE102006013434A1 (de) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Verbindungsvorrichtung zur Übertragung von elektrischem Strom, insbesondere für eine Lenkradheizung eines Fahrzeugs
JP4891701B2 (ja) * 2006-08-23 2012-03-07 ナイルス株式会社 回転コネクタ装置
JP4797002B2 (ja) * 2007-08-10 2011-10-19 ナイルス株式会社 コード部材の係止構造
JP5886148B2 (ja) 2012-06-21 2016-03-16 株式会社ヴァレオジャパン 回転コネクタ装置
JP5871437B2 (ja) * 2013-12-03 2016-03-01 古河電気工業株式会社 回転コネクタ
CN104518388B (zh) * 2015-01-06 2017-08-29 江苏飞锦达科技有限公司 一种用于旋转部件和静态部件之间的连接转换装置
CN104875985B (zh) * 2015-04-13 2017-08-25 江苏飞锦达科技有限公司 一种等电位连接装置及浮顶罐
JP7335890B2 (ja) * 2018-10-17 2023-08-30 古河電気工業株式会社 回転コネクタ装置
JP7303985B2 (ja) * 2019-12-02 2023-07-06 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 コネクタ

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4824396A (en) * 1987-05-27 1989-04-25 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Electrical connection apparatus
DE3728387A1 (de) 1987-08-26 1989-03-09 Voith Gmbh J M Expandierkoerper
JPH0454714Y2 (ko) * 1988-05-23 1992-12-22
JP2575481Y2 (ja) * 1991-08-21 1998-06-25 古河電気工業株式会社 回転コネクタにおけるフラットケーブル接続部の固定構造
JP2863105B2 (ja) * 1995-01-12 1999-03-03 矢崎総業株式会社 相対回転部材間継電装置
JP3373966B2 (ja) * 1995-02-10 2003-02-04 アルプス電気株式会社 回転コネクタ
US5674082A (en) * 1995-02-21 1997-10-07 Niles Parts Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
JP3305154B2 (ja) * 1995-03-28 2002-07-22 ナイルス部品株式会社 回転コネクタ装置に於けるハウジング構造
US5645441A (en) * 1995-05-18 1997-07-08 Niles Parts Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device
JPH0955274A (ja) * 1995-08-11 1997-02-25 Yazaki Corp 回転体と固定体との間の電気的接続装置
US5890921A (en) * 1996-01-25 1999-04-06 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW508607B (en) 2002-11-01
KR100646542B1 (ko) 2006-11-17
DE60015444T2 (de) 2005-10-13
DE60015444D1 (de) 2004-12-09
JP2001028286A (ja) 2001-01-30
JP3693859B2 (ja) 2005-09-14
US6343946B1 (en) 2002-02-05
EP1069657A1 (en) 2001-01-17
KR20010015334A (ko) 2001-02-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1069657B1 (en) Rotary connector
CA2142051C (en) Two-piece clockspring with lock and wire harness assembly
US9882329B2 (en) Rotating contactor for a motor vehicle steering column
JP5833522B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ
US20040053517A1 (en) Steering wheel rotary connector
JP3416413B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ
JP3305154B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるハウジング構造
JP5802156B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ
EP1117161A2 (en) Rotary connector
EP1052743B1 (en) Vehicle-mounted rotary connector
JPH05198340A (ja) コネクタ装置
US6770991B2 (en) Roll connector structure for a vehicle
JP4540778B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ装置
US7097478B2 (en) Electric connecting device
JP3238843B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるハウジング干渉防止構造
US20240213731A1 (en) Clock spring assembly
JP3345276B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるハウジング構造
JP3595362B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるハウジング構造
JP5872933B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ
JP3408927B2 (ja) 回転コネクタ
JPH08227776A (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるコード固定構造
JPH08227780A (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於ける滑りシートの取り付け構造
JPH08227782A (ja) 回転コネクタ装置に於けるグリス溜構造
JP2000195639A (ja) 回転コネクタ装置
JP2002142346A (ja) 回転接続装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010130

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE FR GB

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041209

Kind code of ref document: P

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

ET Fr: translation filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20050804

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: MAI, OPPERMANN & PARTNER I. L., DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: OANDO OPPERMANN & OPPERMANN LLP, DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20140709

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20140709

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20140708

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: MAI, OPPERMANN & PARTNER I. L., DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: OANDO OPPERMANN & OPPERMANN LLP, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: OANDO OPPERMANN & OPPERMANN LLP, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60015444

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20150712

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160202

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150712

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20160331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150731